Floating an idea: First-ever balloon sculpture festival coming to downtown Helena

An event is soon coming to downtown Helena that viewers may find to be filled with twists and turns, but is actually a fundraiser to help nearly two-dozen area nonprofits.

The first-ever Montana Balloon Sculpture Festival will be held Oct. 20-22 along the Walking Mall, Holter Museum and Great Northern Town Center.

“It’s been an idea of mine for the past 10 years,” event organizer and balloon artist Neil Sauter said. He hopes to make it an annual celebration.

Neil Sauter works on a balloon sculpture earlier this week in preparation for the first-ever Montana Balloon Sculpture Festival, which will be held Oct. 20-22 along the Walking Mall, Holter Museum and Great Northern Town Center. 

THOM BRIDGE, Independent Record

The festival, planned in conjunction with United Way of the Lewis and Clark Area, is a 48-hour fundraising drive for 20 nonprofit organizations in Helena, each of which will have a large balloon sculpture sponsored by a local business partner on display.

People can go to https://www.montanaballoonsculpturefestival.com/ and vote for their favorite sculpture by making a donation to the nonprofit organization the balloon display represents.

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